Abstract (in English)

India, the holy land, has innumerable temples and shrines
spread all over the country. As per Hindu mythology,
there are 33 Crore (3.3 Billion) Gods and Goddesses
associated to Hindu Pantheon and each has a shrine
dedicated to it. The Jammu and Kashmir State, the most
Northern state of India, has three distinct regions namely
Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir and can be called a
‘Religious Paradise’. It is famous for its cave shrines,
which are natural rock formations that represent the
living intangible heritage of India. These Gods and
Goddesses are sources to be spiritually uplifted for the
people of India. They provide spiritual solace to
thousands of worshippers visiting these shrines. Apart
from spiritual attainment they provide mental satisfaction
and great ecstasy that sustain and stimulate the life
pattern of thousands of strife torn people, who have
intrinsic faith in these deities. The most significant cave
shrine, however, are those of Mata Vaishno Devi and
Amarnath located in Jammu and Kashmir regions
respectively.
Mata Vaishno Devi cave shrine is dedicated to Goddess
Vaishno, which is a manifestation of Maha Kali, Maha
Lakshmi and Maha Sarasvati. The three manifestations of
the Goddess stand for the following:
(Maha Kali, Tam) ---- Strength
(Maha Lakshmi, Raj) ---- Wealth
(Maha Sarasvati, Satva) ---- Intellect
Each person on earth contains the attributes of Tam Guna,
Raj Guna, Satva Guna, in some degree. His/ Her
behaviour is conditioned by which attribute is
predominant. However to lead a full and meaningful life
a balance has to be struck between the three. This balance
is extremely difficult to achieve. It needs divine blessings.
It is only at Vaishno Devi that such blessings are possible.
Similarly the holy cave shrine of Amarnath is dedicated to
Lord Siva. The place is revered by the Hindu pilgrims
because every year the Shivlinga of snow is formed. The
Shivlinga seems to possess incredible and miraculous
powers. Therefore, people from all over India visit the
shrine to seek blessings of the God.
Mata Vaishno Devi and Amarnath are the only cave
shrines in the world where pilgrims in huge numbers
willingly and happily climb vertical heights of almost
3500 ft and 12000 ft respectively covering a distance of 24
kms and 40 kms respectively. Large number of these
pilgrims are repeaters who come every year. The
unflinching faith of these devotees is wondrous to watch
and what seems to motivate them to the very core of their
heart are the three words, JAI MATA DI and JAI BABA
BHOLENATH.